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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: roll · safe · fall · board · cabinet · current · jam · rush

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. board — to get on
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. roll — a list
  8. rush — hurry
  9. fall — the season
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. fall — to drop
  15. current — of water
  16. board — a committee
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. roll — a cake
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. fall — to drop
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. current — electric

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com